Imagine a world in which midsize cities, factories and towns in many countries have their own small nuclear reactors to generate electricity and heat. Some would be in remote locations unconnected to the national grid but others would be in densely populated zones that need local sources of constant power supply.
By replacing plants that use coal, gas or oil for fuel, these atomic generators — emitting almost no carbon dioxide, the main global gas from human activity — would make the world a greener place. But would it be a safer one?
The question is no longer in the realm of theory. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has estimated that global demand for small reactors could reach 500 to 1,000 units by 2040 as more urban centers, industries and outback communities seek low-carbon power not just for electricity but also for low-cost heat to desalinate seawater for drinking, run energy-intensive mines and industries, produce biomass-based ethanol and even hydrogen fuel.